FINAL UPDATE: Julius Randle's Injury Status For Heat-Knicks Game

Julius Randle is on the injury report for Game 1.

FINAL UPDATE: Julius Randle has been ruled out. 

UPDATE: ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Julius Randle will likely miss Game 1.

Knicks All-Star F Julius Randle (ankle sprain) is expected to be out for Game 1 vs. Miami today, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 30, 2023

On Sunday afternoon, the New York Knicks will host the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden in New York City for Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. 

For the game, All-Star forward Julius Randle is on the injury report listed as questionable.  

Underdog NBA: "Julius Randle (ankle) questionable for Sunday."

Julius Randle (ankle) questionable for Sunday.

— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) April 29, 2023

The former Kentucky star missed the final five regular season games due to an ankle injury. 

He was able to return for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers but hurt his ankle again in the first half of Game 5. 

Julius Randle heads to the locker room after re-injuring his ankle pic.twitter.com/2NhlqAWLOM

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 27, 2023

The Knicks were still able to close out the Cavs 106-95 in Game 5 to win the series 4-1.   

That said, Randle's availability will have a significant impact on the series with the Heat.

Tom Thibodeau provides an update on Julius Randle's status:

"We're hopeful...he moved well today" pic.twitter.com/jBSKSSMsop

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 28, 2023

He is one of the top-two players on the team and averaged an excellent 25.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest while shooting 45.9% from the field during the regular season.    

As for the Heat, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round (4-1). 

The Knicks are the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Heat are the eighth seed, so both teams are coming off impressive upsets. 

During the regular season, the two teams faced off four times, and the Knicks went 3-1 in those matchups. 

Game 2 will be on Tuesday night before the teams head to Miami for Games 3 and 4. 

The winner of the series will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and face off against either the Boston Celtics or the Philadelphia 76ers. 

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